Apparatus and methods for optimizing capacity in wireline cable networks with virtual service groups

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for optimizing bandwidth utilization and services in a data network infrastructure. In one embodiment, the data network is a managed Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) cable network, and the network infrastructure is configured to enable dynamic allocate of frequency bands to individual consumer premises device (e.g., DOCSIS-compliant cable modems). In one variant, the improved network infrastructure enables creation of virtual Service Groups (vSGs), and allocation of individual ones of the CM to such vSGs, to some degree irrespective of topological or “hardwired” location within the network. The allocations can be dynamic, and based on factors such as load balancing, evacuation of portions of the physical network topology (such as to support infrastructure upgrades or replacement), or for yet other reasons such as relating to subscriber tier or service level agreement (SLA).

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of allocating spectrum to a plurality of premises devices in a managed network architecture, the method comprising:
 forming a first virtual service group (vSG), and associating data channels in a first frequency band to the first vSG;   forming a second vSG, and associating data channels in a second frequency band to the second vSG;   allocating each of the plurality of premises devices to either the first vSG or the second vSG, but not both;   monitoring data utilization within the first and the second frequency bands; and   optimizing subsequent ones of the allocations of premises devices to the first or second vSGs based at least in part on the monitoring.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the allocating comprises allocating premises devices capable of operating within either the first or second frequency bands only to the first vSG. 
     
     
         23 . Computerized apparatus configured for operation within a managed data distribution network, comprising:
 network interface apparatus configured for exchanging data with a data network;   processor apparatus in data communication with the network interface apparatus; and   storage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus and comprising a storage medium, the storage medium comprising a at least one computer program, the at least one computer program configured to, when executed on the processor apparatus, cause the computerized apparatus to:
 receive data from at least one modem apparatus in data communication with the managed data distribution network, the received data relating to a configuration of the at least one modem apparatus; 
 use at least the received data to evaluate to which of a plurality of virtual service groups the at least one modem apparatus should be allocated; 
 based at least on the evaluation, cause allocation of the at least one modem apparatus to only one of the plurality of virtual service groups; and 
 cause transmission of configuration data to the at least one modem apparatus, the configuration data causing the at least one modem apparatus to selectively utilize only the one virtual service group for at least a period of time. 
   
     
     
         24 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a plurality of modulator apparatus configured to generate waveforms within respective frequency bands associated with respective ones of the plurality of virtual service groups.